Apalachicola Riverkeeper challenges oil drilling permit in Calhoun County
CALHOUN COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The state intended to issue a drilling permit to Clearwater Land & Minerals in April. But it was challenged by the Apalachicola Riverkeeper Cameron Baxley.
The site is located just north of Wewahitchka between the Chipola and Apalachicola Rivers and Dead Lakes.
There have been other oil and well permits issued in the past, but not this close to those major waterways. The Apalachicola River is Florida's largest flowing river and has the healthiest floodplain in the state.
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It's Riverkeeper Cameron Baxley's job to advocate for its health.
"That site, the pad that they're proposing to drill to have the well, is completely surrounded by freshwater cypress swamp and that cypress swamp is all connected to the river," Apalachicola Riverkeeper Cameron Baxley said.
Baxley has been fighting against this oil drilling permit since December 2023 and filed suit against DEP earlier this year.
"It's our view that DEP did not properly consider the extremely sensitive nature of the area that this proposed activity is occurring," Baxley said.
Baxley flew over the proposed drilling site to identify potential impacts. She believes the oil drilling permit poses a massive risk to the river, the Apalachicola Bay, and could impact drinking water.
"What they're proposing to do in this project is to punch down through the Floridian Aquifer, which is the source of our drinking water, and then inject a lot of toxic chemicals into the well," Baxley said.
Not to mention the potential threat from natural disasters like Hurricane Michael.
"Imagine, if you will, an incident, a spill occurring, everything goes downstream. So you've got hundreds of miles of creeks and rivers. And where does that lead to the bay," Baxley added.
Baxley claims drilling will also threaten recreational and commercial boating and fishing, affecting blue crab, flounder, shrimp, and oysters.
"There's been millions and millions of dollars that the State of Florida, with taxpayer money included, uh, has been invested in the Bay and making sure that we try and restore it. This project goes completely against everything that we're working for, that we've been working for, for decades," Baxley continued.
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About 1,500 Calhoun County residents have also filed formal objections against the DEP permit.
Administrative Law Judge Lawrence Stevenson is scheduled to hear the lawsuit next month.
News 13 tried to contact someone from Clearwater Land and Mineral for comment but was unsuccessful.
